Midwest Fest burning questions (Part 2)

Learn more about local talent and its quirks in our second installment of Midwest Fest burning questions. We hear from Ryan Heisler of the indie/folk Newday Dreamers.

Grand Central Magazine (GCmag)- If you could kill off one entire genre of music, what would it be?

Ryan Heisler– “Modern country.” It’s good for only a laugh and nothing else. The day Toby Keith drives his Ford truck into one of his chain restaurants will alleviate a few of the world’s problems, sinister as it may be.

GCmag– If you could only see one artist live for the rest of your life, who would it be?

Heisler– Umphrey’s McGee, 14 times so far and I love them more with each show that I see. They nail covers better than anyone so it’d be like seeing 100 bands made up of the same six guys.

GCmag– Would you rather wear the same shirt for the rest of your life without washing it or bathe in feces for a year?

Heisler– Same shirt for sure! We survived without personal hygiene for centuries. We have never bathed in turds. That’s that.

GCmag– Who would you rather fight … Bruce Lee or Chuck Norris?

Heisler– Chuck Norris. He’s a weak, old man now. Kick him in the hip and he’ll go down like a sack of rotten potatoes.

GCmag– If you could have the last show you play be at a venue of your choice, where would it be?

Heisler– Red Rocks. It is nature’s most beautiful stage there. I’ll never be 100 percent satisfied with my accomplishments until I sign the green room wall there.

Next readers hear from the lead of Joe Hertler and The Rainbow Seekers, Joe Hertler.

Grand Central Magazine (GCmag) – You have to spend a day with Rebecca Black or Justin Bieber — who would you choose?

Joe Hertler– I’d go with Bieber. There’s no doubt the kid is super talented. He even has co-writing credits on a lot of his songs. I happen to be a sucker for pop music and he makes a top notch product. And by product, I mean it in every sense of the word. Plus, Scooter, his manager is a legend and I’d love to meet him. But honestly, I just wanna write pop hooks with Usher.

GCmag– If you could only see one musician’s live shows for the rest of your life who would it be?

Hertler– D’Angelo would be amazing. But if I honestly had to see one show, I’d go with a 10 hour night at some superclub in Ibiza to a Carl Cox DJ set. If it’s gonna be my last show, I wanna be dancing all night long.

GCmag– Would you rather have all your toes cut off or all your fingers?

Hertler– Toes. My fingers let me play instruments. It’d be pretty tough to play with nubs. I’m sure I could get some replacement toes/feet that would allow for walking if I went that route.

GCmag– If your entire band could have a superpower what would it be?

Hertler– Superpower for the band? To play relentlessly every night with an overflowing amount of soul and passion. We’re good at it, but it’s impossible to always be feeling it. Sometimes you just have a crappy day, or the sound is bad, tech problems … these things throw you off. Like, a button labeled “Rock and effing Roll” would be awesome. You’d just press it and next thing you know the club is totally hype. Oh, in a perfect world … .

GCmag– What record has had the most influence on the music you’re currently making?

Hertler– Seventy percent of the music I listen to is EDM … Funk/Disco/Tech … all forms of house and some bass music at the festivals. But, it’s not directly inspiring in that emotional way. I think the energy transfers over, but I think it keeps me fresh within my own head. In some ways I don’t like to be influenced by other music. However, I’ve been on a Neo-Soul binge over the last year. Artists like D’Angelo and Erykah Badu are killing it for me. I also love the great divas like Elton John, Prince, Freddy, and Diana Ross. And Soul/Funk from Sly and Family Stone, Al Green, and Earth Wind and Fire. I have a really eclectic taste in music and I wouldn’t change it for the world.

Also add for inspiration to the max … Jamiroquai! God do I love that band. People in America think they’re a one hit wonder. Not true at all, they just haven’t had as many hits in the states. But they have a vast and deep discography that grooves like nothing else.